A shooting incident at White House farm

[Reader]

Considering that the police were responding to what was described as a “distress call” the crew of CA7 behaved in a strange manner on the morning of 7th August 1985. They left Witham police station at 03:30 and drove at an average 50 mph to Pages Lane near White House Farm (WHF), a journey of 12 miles. During the journey their speed must at times have been between 65-70 mph. They hurried to the scene of the murders with their blue light flashing; but upon arrival they did absolutely nothing.

The AA route planner tends to use major roads. According to Google, the shortest route for the trip is 10.2 miles long. As a local driver who had been to WHF before, Pc Saxby presumably used the best route. If they used the 10.2 mile route and took 15 minutes, their average speed was 40.8 mph, and if they took 17 minutes, their average speed was 36 mph. Their blue light, even if used, wouldn't affect their speed; at that time in the morning, there would probably have been nobody around to see it anyway. They didn't necessarily act in a strange manner - after all, the call concerned someone who had allegedly gone crazy (or berserk, which suggests violence) and had possession of a gun.

[Mr. Gee]

The AA route planner tends to use major roads. According to Google, the shortest route for the trip is 10.2 miles long. As a local driver who had been to WHF before, Pc Saxby presumably used the best route. If they used the 10.2 mile route and took 15 minutes, their average speed was 40.8 mph, and if they took 17 minutes, their average speed was 36 mph. Their blue light, even if used, wouldn't affect their speed; at that time in the morning, there would probably have been nobody around to see it anyway. They didn't necessarily act in a strange manner - after all, the call concerned someone who had allegedly gone crazy (or berserk, which suggests violence) and had possession of a gun.

As someone who lives here and who knows the roads I would say that they could not reach speeds of up to 67 to 70mph in many places?

[Reader]

That's correct, but Bill Robertson's comment was based on the nearly 12-mile route suggested by AA route planner. Unfortunately, we don't know the exact times when the journey started and ended.

[Jane]

That's correct, but Bill Robertson's comment was based on the nearly 12-mile route suggested by AA route planner. Unfortunately, we don't know the exact times when the journey started and ended.

And do we know the exact location of the cars when they got the shout?

[Reader]

As far as CA07 is concerned, Pc Saxby hadn't noted doing anything since he'd returned to Witham Police Station at about 3:20am.

[Jane]

As far as CA07 is concerned, Pc Saxby hadn't noted doing anything since he'd returned to Witham Police Station at about 3:20am.

But there was more than one car, wasn't there. Not suggesting anything untoward. It wouldn't be unreasonable for a squad car to be out on patrol/en rote/ from another shout/closer to the point of the new call out.

[lookout]

 Didn't the two cars come from different directions ? Dependant where they were at the time I suppose.

[Reader]

According to Pc Cracknell, he was on duty on 7 August 1985 with Pc Norcup, forming the crew of car CA5, when at 3.33am, as a result of information received whilst at Chelmsford Police Station in the Control Room, they were requested to attend White House Farm. As he was in the same control room as Pc West, it seems that there must have been some discussion in the control room that eventually resulted in the despatch of CA5. A few minutes later, Bonnett was presumably informed that CA5 was on its way, as he logged a time of 3:36am for this. For some reason, CA5 was not despatched very quickly and averaged only around 25 mph for the trip to WHF. What delayed them has never been explained.

Car CA6 arrived at WHF, according to Bonnett's log, at around the same time as car CA5. I'll try to spot more information about CA6.

[Mr. Gee]

According to Pc Cracknell, he was on duty on 7 August 1985 with Pc Norcup, forming the crew of car CA5, when at 3.33am, as a result of information received whilst at Chelmsford Police Station in the Control Room, they were requested to attend White House Farm. As he was in the same control room as Pc West, it seems that there must have been some discussion in the control room that eventually resulted in the despatch of CA5. A few minutes later, Bonnett was presumably informed that CA5 was on its way, as he logged a time of 3:36am for this. For some reason, CA5 was not despatched very quickly and averaged only around 25 mph for the trip to WHF. What delayed them has never been explained.

Car CA6 arrived at WHF, according to Bonnett's log, at around the same time as car CA5. I'll try to spot more information about CA6.

Perhaps they stopped to put an extra jumper on?

[lookout]

 Or a swig from the hip-flask !

[Jane]

Or a swig from the hip-flask !

Hot unheard of, Lookout.

[lookout]

Hot unheard of, Lookout.

Both PE and Jeremy showed their disgust when Stan Jones nearly polished off their whisky. PE was quite shocked when his offer to drive SJ home was refused,as SJ said he'd drive himself.

[lookout]

I'm afraid I wouldn't have put my trust in someone like that who wouldn't have had a clear head.I don't care what anyone says,they forget things,or get muddled. What a carry on.
Because these things happened,Jeremy daren't say a word in case he's accused of making excuses for himself. I bet there's heaps that Jeremy could say,and hopefully his time will come. I think this is what folk are afraid of.

[Mr. Gee]

Both PE and Jeremy showed their disgust when Stan Jones nearly polished off their whisky. PE was quite shocked when his offer to drive SJ home was refused,as SJ said he'd drive himself.

I think the philosophy of "one for the road" was a popular saying in those days.

[Jane]

I think the philosophy of "one for the road" was a popular saying in those days.

Grahame, it was a necessity.